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Adult Band – Starting November 1st

Rehearsals for our first adult band will begin on Tuesday, November 1st. Brandon Marsolo will be playing drums and coaching the ensemble. The group will focus on rock and blues techniques. Brandon has plenty of experience in leading rehearsals and will be able to provide expert instruction on individual and group performance. This is something I think that has been missing at the Shed and there is a lot to be learned from playing in a group setting. 

You are welcome to use our equipment at the Shed or bring your own. The cost will be $30 per 90 min rehearsal from 8:00-9:30. The rehearsals will culminate in a final performance at our recital on December 18. Tuition will be pro-rated and added to your monthly invoice. There will be no make-up classes, but we are happy to adjust invoices prior to payment if you will be absent. You can sign up online through our student portal or email us directly if you are interested. Limited to 6 students.

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When did you start playing guitar?

I received my first guitar for Chanukah in December of 1996. I was 10 years old and I can vividly remember unwrapping the large box in our living room and seeing the hardshell case. At first I thought it was a trombone (not sure why) but then as I pulled the case out of the box I realized it was an acoustic guitar. I had been asking for a guitar for what seemed like eons, so the moment was surreal. My mom thought the guitar would be just like the gameboy, sega genesis, computer, baseball cards, movies, and million other material things that I needed to have and discarded along the way. Fortunately for both of us the guitar stuck.

It was a modest Mitchell acoustic guitar and it came with a book and videotape. My excitement was met with some initial frustration and confusion when I opened the book and watched the video. Like any kid, I wanted instant gratification and wanted everything to sound amazing right away. This was not my first time picking up guitar; but up until then my exposure was limited to watching adults strumming chords and friends showing me simple one string riffs on their guitars. Hearing and seeing all of this new information for the first time was overwhelming and I didn’t know where to start. Also, it did not sound amazing.

For the moment it was back to my one string riffs and turning the pegs on the end of the guitar so they all lined up (kids don’t try this at home). My curiosity and determination won over and eventually I was able to play some recognizable melodies. This was the beginning of a lifelong journey that continues to this day. I’m still looking forward to learning that next song.

If your child expresses a specific interest in an instrument, get them one! Sign them up for lessons. You’ll never know if it will stick unless you try.

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Winter Recital – December 18

It’s almost that time of year again! I know it’s only September, but we’re already gearing up for our 2nd annual Winter Recital. The date is set for Sunday, December 18 at The Red Light Cafe at 7 pm. So mark your calendars and be thinking of what songs you would like to play!

For those of you that have not participated in a recital yet, we will have an adult set and a kids set. All students have the opportunity to perform solo or with teacher accompaniment. Feel free to play some festive tunes and wear some festive gear, after all it is the most wonderful time of the year!

Winter Recital

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Time to restring

We just got a new shipment of DR Strings in at the store. Electric, Acoustic and Classical (Nylon) strings are available for only $8 pack (Mfg. List Price $12.75). The price includes tax and can be added to your next invoice or you can pay by credit card in the store.

We can also restring your instrument for $25 (includes the price of strings). If you don’t know how to replace your strings and you’d like to do it yourself, feel free to ask your teacher and they will be happy to show you in your next lesson. It’s hard not to play a guitar with new strings on it, so strap them on and let it ring!

DR Strings

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One Year Anniversary Party

Photos by Cindy Wnek

Posted by Guitar Shed on Wednesday, August 17, 2016

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New Charts!

What is a chart? In musical terms, a “chart” is short for a written arrangement of music. Don’t worry, there are no bar graphs, tables or spreadsheets!

For those of you that have taken lessons with me, you know that I am BIG on making charts. In short, charts take out the guesswork and allow you to play along with recordings and other people with full confidence. Over the past year I have been uploading select charts from my personal collection to our library page. I just uploaded a new batch of charts including songs by Stone Temple Pilots, The Beatles, The Who and more! Please use these only for your own educational purposes and enjoyment. Disclaimer: they are free to download and may contain some errors or be incomplete.

Feel free to explore and see if you can start charting out songs you are working on now!

P.S. Charts are also very helpful when writing or sharing your own songs

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Now Offering Violin!

IzaakWaltonphoto

We are excited to announce the addition of our newest teacher, Izaak Walton. Izaak is a very talented classical violinist from a musical family and born and raised right here in our neighborhood. Read below for more about Isaak and let us know if you are interested in signing up for violin lessons! Lessons are available on Wednesday afternoons starting August 10.

Izaak Walton (violin)

Raised in Atlanta in a musical household, Izaak began playing at a young age under his parents’ instruction. He studied in the studios of Levon Ambartsumian, Shakhida Azimkodjaeva, and Dr. Michael Heald at the University of Georgia, and more recently Raymond Leung of the Atlanta Symphony. Izaak graduated in 2015 from the University of Georgia with a degree in Violin Performance and a minor in English….read more

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Plugging in to Unplug

With so many distractions in the world and in our daily lives it can sometimes be difficult to focus on something as simple as picking up your instrument. While I was practicing this week, I found myself taking breaks in the middle of my practice session to check email, Facebook, and the news.

Many times this would happen when I was about to have a breakthrough or got bored. If I had stayed with the task at hand I could’ve had that breakthrough or committed the piece to memory. After returning from my detour I was much less focused and had a hard time getting back in a groove.

So I ask you, the next time you plug in your guitar…. unplug everything else. Close your apps, hide your phone, your computer and spend sometime with your instrument. You won’t regret it and all of the technology will still be there when you are done.

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Summer Recital Recap

Our students played a diverse and challenging selection of material to a packed house at the Summer Recital! With everything from Bach to Leon Bridges; gospel and folk songs to jazz, rock and hip hop; piano, guitar, bass and ukulele, this night was a beautiful representation of our little music school. We strive to be rooted in the past and forging ahead to new musical territory. I couldn’t be more proud of all of the performers and hope you take it on yourself to keep hopping up on stage and honing your craft. Not only is the recital a venue to show friends and family what you’ve been working on in your private lessons, but it is a creative outlet to connect with other musicians and students. There is a great deal to be learned from each performance opportunity and it is a gift and privilege that I hope you all cherish.

Big thanks to our Guitar Shed photographer in residence, Cindy Wnek for capturing some great moments at the Summer Recital! Also, big thanks again to the Red Light Cafe for having us back. Until the next one…. keep on Shedding!

P.S. If you haven’t already downloaded the audio from the evening, you can login and download the file from our library page. You can also click on the link below for pictures!

Summer Recital Poster by Kayla Shults

Summer Recital Poster by Kayla Shults

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Summer Rehearsal

Everyone had a great time at the rehearsal this past Sunday. I’m very impressed by the progress everyone has made since December and also how much our kids have grown! Man time flies looking at these pictures. Looking forward to our Summer Recital this Sunday at the Red Light Cafe! Click here to RSVP.

Click on the picture for the full rehearsal gallery on our Facebook page…

Parker and Tyler

Parker and Tyler

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